Water-conducting domestic appliance and method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance

ABSTRACT

A water-conducting domestic appliance includes a dispensing apparatus configured to dispense a cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance, and a controller configured to carry out a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed and to carry out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance. The cleaning program includes a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature. The controller is configured to actuate the dispensing apparatus such as to dispense the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.

The present invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance,such as a dishwasher, for instance. Furthermore, the present inventionrelates to a method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer programproduct, which triggers the realization of such a method using aprogram-controlled device.

As a function of the use of a dishwasher, dirt or impurities may developin the interior, i.e. the dishwasher cavity, at different points, evenafter a wash phase for washing the dishes. This dirt in the dishwashercavity can be caused as a result of the manner in which dishes arearranged, the cleaning agent used or as a result of the type of soilingof the dishes.

What are known as spray shadows may develop as a result of thearrangement of the dishes. This means that the wet jet is shielded ordeflected by dishware and as a result does not reach the full interiorof the dishwasher.

If, in the case of heavy soiling of the dishes, too weak a program isselected, it may not be possible for dirt to be removed entirely fromthe dishwasher. In such cases the dirt accumulates predominantly atpoints at which less water is sprayed or there is less of a waterimpulse.

When the cleaning power of the selected cleaning agent is too low, thesoiling of the dishes may likewise not be removed entirely from thedishwasher and thus accumulates in the interior. This may be the casefor instance if the cleaning agent has aged or is inefficient.

In order to eliminate such impurities in the interior, machine cleaningagents can be used, which are to eliminate these impurities within thescope of a machine cleaning program. To this end the dishwasher istypically operated without dishes, but with the machine cleaning agentintroduced. Such machine cleaning programs are however only designed forspecific types of impurities. Therefore residues of impuritiesfrequently remain in the interior of the dishwasher even after such aprogram has been applied.

Against this background, one object of the present invention consists inproviding an improved water-conducting domestic appliance.

Accordingly, a water-conducting domestic appliance is proposed, whichhas a controller for carrying out a number of wash programs for washingitems to be washed and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at leastone cleaning agent and/or rinse-aid into a dishwasher cavity of thewater-conducting domestic appliance. The controller is configured tocarry out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domesticappliance, wherein the cleaning program has a first cleaning phase witha first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaningphase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature. Thecontroller is furthermore configured to control the dispensing apparatussuch that said dispensing apparatus dispenses the second cleaning agentinto the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.

Here the proposed domestic appliance can use the same dispensingapparatus as the dispensing apparatus, which is introduced into the washprograms for the dish cleaning agent. By using two cleaning phases toclean the water-conducting domestic appliance, two different cleaningagents can be used, which are each optimized for specific requirementsin each case. To this end the two cleaning phases can use differentcleaning agents at different temperatures.

The first cleaning agent can be provided directly on the base of thedishwasher cavity, for instance, or, in the event of a liquid cleaningagent, in a receptacle for instance in the top basket or cutlery drawerin the dishwasher cavity. After the first cleaning phase with thedirectly introduced first cleaning agent has elapsed, the secondcleaning agent can then be released by the dispensing apparatus. This isthen used in the second cleaning phase.

With the proposed domestic appliance, it is therefore possible to beable to employ two cleaning phases, independent of one another, withdifferent purposes, by using hardware which is already present, such asthe dispensing apparatus. The use of two cleaning phases also makes itpossible to swell and dissolve specific types of dirt, such as e.g.starch, cellulose etc., in the first cleaning phase, in order to be ableto ensure a significantly improved removal capacity in the secondcleaning phase.

The water-conducting domestic appliance is in particular a domesticdishwasher. In particular, the domestic dishwasher uses zeolite to drythe dishwasher cavity and the dishes.

According to a further embodiment, the domestic appliance is adishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, in particular a tumble dryer ora steamer.

According to a further embodiment, the first temperature is higher thanthe second temperature.

The first temperature can be optimized here to specific dirt and aspecific cleaning agent. For instance, a liquid machine cleaning agentcan be used in the first cleaning phase. This can be inserted into thedishwasher cavity in a receptacle, e.g. a bottle. Such receptaclesfrequently have a waxy seal, which initially has to be dissolved. Thetemperature of the first cleaning phase can be geared hereto.

According to a further embodiment, the first temperature is higher than60° C., in particular lies in a range of 65° C. to 80° C.

With a temperature above 60° C., specific soiling in the domesticappliance, i.e. the dishwasher cavity as well as feed and removalsystems, can be dissolved. Furthermore, the first cleaning agent may besuitable for this temperature range.

According to a further embodiment, the second temperature lies in arange of 45° C. to 55° C.

In the second cleaning phase, a lower temperature range is sufficient,since dirt that can only be dissolved at higher temperatures has alreadyat least been partly dissolved in the first cleaning phase. The energyconsumption due to high temperatures can therefore be reduced in thesecond cleaning phase.

According to a further embodiment, the first cleaning phase and/or thefirst cleaning agent is designed to dissolve limescale, fat and/ormicroorganisms.

The first cleaning agent can be designed to free the domestic applianceof fat and limescale. Such a cleaning agent can contain a high portionof tenside in order to emulsify existing fat. Furthermore, the cleaningagent can contain acids, e.g. citric acid or formic acids, in order todissolve limescale in the dishwasher cavity and other water-conductingparts. The cleaning effect takes place here in an acidic environment.

Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning agent may be suitable forreducing microorganisms. Such a cleaning agent contains bleachingagents, inter alia. As a result, the disinfecting effect of oxygen,which is released from the bleaching agents, can be employed.

Both types of first cleaning agent are suited in particular totemperatures above 60° C. and deploy their effect in this range.

According to a further embodiment, the second cleaning phase and/or thesecond cleaning agent is designed to dissolve carbohydrate, proteinand/or cellulose.

To this end the second cleaning agent can contain enzymes, for instance,which are embodied to break down carbohydrate, protein or cellulose. Inthe second cleaning phase, an alkaline solution is generated here by thewater and the second cleaning agent.

According to a further embodiment, the user can select whether themachine cleaning program is to be carried out in a manner so as to saveenergy and/or optimize cleaning effect. This can also be selected againwhile the cleaning program is being carried out. As a function of theselection, the controller can supplement the cleaning program by apre-rinse phase, one or more intermediate wash phases, a rinse-aid phaseand/or a drying phase. Alternatively, the controller can supplement thecleaning program automatically by these phases, wherein informationrelating to the degree of impurities in the domestic appliance may havean influence.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has a pre-rinsephase prior to the first cleaning phase.

Impurities, which are already dissolved, can be rinsed out of thedomestic appliance in the pre-rinse phase. Therefore solid dirt can beprepared directly in the first cleaning phase, without expending thecleaning agent with already dissolved dirt. The pre-rinse phase can becarried out heated or unheated. In the first case, dirt can be dissolvedor broken up more easily. In such cases the temperature reached can liebelow the temperature at which the waxy seal of the receptacle, in whichthe machine cleaning agent is disposed, dissolves. In the second case,the energy consumption is reduced. The pre-rinse phase can additionallybe selected in particular by the user prior to starting the machinecleaning program. Alternatively, the pre-rinse phase can be selectedautomatically by the controller. To this end, information can be used bysensors which make it possible to provide information about the degreeof impurity in the domestic appliance.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has anintermediate wash phase between the first cleaning phase and the secondcleaning phase.

The intermediate wash phase can be used to prevent the first cleaningagent, which contains acid, for instance, from carrying over into thesecond cleaning phase. Such a carryover of cleaning agent could resultin unwanted reactions between the first and the second cleaning agent.

The intermediate wash phase serves furthermore to rinse dissolved dirtout of the domestic appliance. The intermediate wash phase can likewisebe carried out heated or unheated and with one or more baths, dependingon whether the energy consumption is to be reduced or the cleaning poweris to be improved. The intermediate wash phase can likewise be selectedby the user prior to starting the machine cleaning program in additionto or automatically by means of the controller.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has anintermediate wash phase after the second cleaning phase.

The intermediate wash phase after the second cleaning phase can be usedto rinse dissolved dirt out of the domestic appliance. The intermediatewash phase can likewise be carried out heated or unheated and with oneor more baths, depending on whether the energy consumption is to bereduced or the cleaning power is to be improved. This intermediate washphase can likewise be selected by the user prior to starting the machinecleaning program in addition to or automatically by means of thecontroller.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has a rinse-aidphase after the second cleaning phase.

The rinse-aid phase can be used to once again rinse components ordissolved dirt out of the domestic appliance. The rinse-aid phase can becarried out heated or unheated. Depending on the type of drying, it maybe necessary to carry out the rinse-aid phase heated. Furthermore,rinse-aid can be added to the rinse-aid phase by means of the dispensingapparatus.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has a finaldrying phase.

A final drying phase may ensure that no microorganisms are able topropagate on account of a damp environment in the domestic appliance.

Furthermore, a method for operating a water-conducting domesticappliance is proposed, in particular a dishwasher, which has acontroller for carrying out a number of wash programs for washing itemsto be washed and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least onecleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domesticappliance. Here the method has the following steps: Carrying out acleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance,wherein the cleaning program has a first cleaning phase with a firstcleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with asecond cleaning agent at a second temperature, and dispensing the secondcleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaningphase.

Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which triggers theexecution of the method as described above on a program-controlleddevice.

A computer program product, such as e.g. a computer program means, can,for example, be provided or supplied as a storage medium, such as memorycards, USB sticks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or also in the form of files which canbe downloaded from a server in a network. This can take place, forexample, in a wireless communications network through the transmissionof a corresponding file with the computer program product or thecomputer program means.

The forms of embodiment and features described for the proposed deviceapply accordingly to the proposed method.

Further possible implementations of the invention also comprisecombinations—not explicitly cited—of features or forms of embodimentdescribed above or below in respect of the exemplary embodiments. Herethe person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects asimprovements or amendments to the respective basic form of theinvention.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are thesubject matter of the dependent claims as well as the exemplaryembodiments of the invention described below. The invention is alsodescribed in greater detail on the basis of preferred forms ofembodiment with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of awater-conducting domestic appliance;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic time diagram for an example of a machinecleaning program, which is carried out by the domestic appliance in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating thewater-conducting domestic appliance.

Elements which are the same or function the same have been provided withthe same reference characters in the figures, unless specifiedotherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of awater-conducting domestic appliance 1. In the example in FIG. 1, thedomestic appliance 1 is a dishwasher.

The dishwasher 1 has a carcass comprising a dishwasher cavity 2 as wellas a door 3. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 form a washingchamber 4 for washing items to be washed. The door 3 is shown in itsopen position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivotingabout a pivot axis S provided at a lower end of the door 3.

The dishwasher cavity 2 is square, for instance, and can comprise a base5, a ceiling 6 arranged opposite to the base 5, a rear wall 7 arrangedopposite to the door 3 and two side walls 8, 9 arranged opposite to oneanother. In particular, the side walls 8, 9 can be manufactured fromstainless steel.

The dishwasher 1 further has at least one loading level 10. The at leastone loading level 10 is preferably a receptacle for items to be washedof the dishwasher 1. In particular, a number of loading levels 10 can beprovided, which can comprise a lower basket, an upper basket and/or acutlery drawer. The number of loading levels 10 are preferably arrangedone above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each loading level 10can optionally be moved in an insertion direction E into the dishwashercavity 2 or in an extraction direction A out of this. To this end, arail 11 is preferably provided on both sides of a respective loadinglevel 10.

A controller 12 provided optionally in the carcass or in the door 3 ofthe dishwasher 1 is configured to control the process of wash programsfor washing items to be washed as well as a machine cleaning program.

The dishwasher 1 in FIG. 1 also has a dispensing apparatus 13 fordispensing cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity 2. Cleaning agentcan be dispensed by way of the dispensing apparatus 13 both into thewash programs and also the machine cleaning program. The dispensingapparatus 13 is located in FIG. 1 in the door 3, but can however also bearranged in the dishwasher cavity 2.

The controller 12 is embodied to carry out the machine cleaning program.This has at least one first cleaning phase P2 with a first cleaningagent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase P4 with asecond cleaning agent at a second temperature. During the secondcleaning phase P4, the controller 12 controls the dispensing apparatus13 such that this dispenses the second cleaning agent into thedishwasher cavity 2.

In addition to the first cleaning phase P2 and the second cleaning phaseP4, the machine cleaning program can have one or more further washcycles or phases, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic time diagram for an example of a machinecleaning program. The length of the individual phases is only schematicand need not correspond to the actual time ratio of the individualphases.

Firstly an, in particular heated, pre-rinse phase P1 is optionallycarried out.

A machine cleaning agent is added in the first cleaning phase P2. Thisphase P2 can be carried out at 65° C. to 80° C. for instance, in orderto assist the cleaning agent optimally.

An optional intermediate wash phase P3 is then carried out. This can beused to prevent the first cleaning agent from being carried over intothe second cleaning phase P4.

The second cleaning phase P4 is carried out with a second cleaning agentat 45° C. to 55° C. The second cleaning phase can optionally contain aheating phase.

In an optional intermediate wash phase P5, dissolved dirt can be rinsedout.

A rinse-aid phase P6 can then optionally be carried out. In this phasethe domestic appliance 1 can be heated once again to approx. 70° C. inorder to assist a subsequent drying phase P7. Rinse-aid can be added tothe rinse-aid phase to further assist the drying process.

The final drying phase P7 is optional.

FIG. 3 shows a method for operating a water-conducting domesticappliance 1. One example of such a water-conducting domestic appliance 1is shown in FIG. 1.

In this regard, in a first step S1, a cleaning program is carried outfor cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance, wherein thecleaning program has a first cleaning phase P2 with a first cleaningagent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase P4 with asecond cleaning agent at a second temperature.

In step S2, the second cleaning agent is dispensed into the dishwashercavity 2 during the second cleaning phase P4.

The steps S1 and S2 can also be executed in parallel with one another.

Although the present invention has been described on the basis ofexemplary embodiments, it can be modified in a variety of ways.

Reference characters used:

-   1 water-conducting household appliance-   2 dishwasher cavity-   3 door-   4 washing chamber-   5 base-   6 ceiling-   7 rear wall-   8, 9 side walls-   10 loading level-   11 rail-   12 controller-   13 dispensing apparatus-   A extraction direction-   E insertion direction-   P1-P7 phases-   S pivot axis-   S1-S2 method steps

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A water-conducting domestic appliance, comprising: a dispensing apparatus configured to dispense a cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance; and a controller configured to carry out a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed and to carry out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance, with the cleaning program including a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature, said controller being configured to actuate the dispensing apparatus such as to dispense the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.
 15. The domestic appliance of claim 14, constructed in the form of a dishwasher.
 16. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature.
 17. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is higher than 60° C.
 18. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is in a range of 65° C. to 80° C.
 19. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the second temperature is in a range of 45° C. to 55° C.
 20. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first cleaning phase and the first cleaning agent is configured to dissolve limescale, fat and/or microorganisms.
 21. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein at least one of the second cleaning phase and the second cleaning agent is configured to dissolve carbohydrate, protein and/or cellulose.
 22. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes a pre-rinse phase prior to the first cleaning phase.
 23. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes an intermediate wash phase between the first cleaning phase and the second cleaning phase.
 24. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes an intermediate wash phase after the second cleaning phase.
 25. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes a rinse-aid phase after the second cleaning phase.
 26. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes a final drying phase.
 27. A method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance, comprising: configuring a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance such that the cleaning program includes a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature; and carrying out by a controller the cleaning program such that the dispensing apparatus is actuated to dispense the second cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance during the second cleaning phase.
 28. The method of claim 27 for operating a dishwasher.
 29. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program product, when loaded into a controller of a water-conducting domestic appliance and executed by the controller, causes the controller to: carry out a cleaning program having a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature; and actuate a dispensing apparatus of the water-conducting domestic appliance to dispense the second cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance during the second cleaning phase. 